Seven Interesting Health and Fitness Facts

Throughout each year we spend a significant amount of time researching every aspect of fitness as fitness professionals. Therefore, this week, seven interesting health and fitness facts which are worth noting, will be highlighted. Whether every one of these facts may apply to you or not, there is bound to be one or two that will, so read ahead! As always prior to beginning any exercise program, please consult your physician.

Fact #1
Do you know what structure in the knee contributes the most to knee stability? If you said the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL), you would be correct! It contributes approximately 82-88 percent to the stability of the knee!

Fact #2
Did you know that the most common fracture in individuals over the age of 65 is a wrist fracture, followed by the upper arm, clavicle and hip? There are many reasons why this is the case including increased exposure to falling and osteoporosis; however, there are many exercises which specifically address these vulnerable areas of the body and may improve muscular/structural strength perhaps preventing these fractures. Consult your certified/qualified and experienced fitness professional to create a program which emphasizes strengthening, mobility and safe/effective functional movement patterns.

Fact #3
Did you know that there are 27 bones, 29 joints and 123 ligaments in the hand (Eaton 2017; Informed Health online 2016), and that each hand is controlled by the opposite hemisphere of the brain (Informed Health Online 2016)? So, the message is take good care of your hands, keeping the finger joints moving and healthy.

Fact #4
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) conducts an annual Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends and here are a few of the 20 they target for most adults: wearable technology, body-weight training, high-intensity interval training, educated, certified and experienced fitness professionals, strength training, and group training as the top six and yoga, personal training, flexibility and mobility rollers as 8th, 9th and 20th respectively.

Fact #5
Did you know that May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, National Mental Health Month, Global Employee Health and Fitness Month and National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month? These “awareness months” remind us of the importance of keeping our families active, encouraging physical activity with almost all individuals regardless of their limitations, encouraging workplace wellness and becoming well educated about screening and progression of osteoporosis.

Fact #6
Were you aware that one of the best sports conditioning tools is a lateral motion training board? We use the board specifically for ski conditioning; however, it may be used in just about every sport’s conditioning program training the body in the frontal plane and emphasizing power!